Ohio School Board Considers Allowing Creationism in Classroom

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A school district in Springboro, Ohio, is currently considering a proposal which would allow controversial subjects, such as creationism, to be discussed in classrooms in order to encourage critical thinking among students.

The Ohio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has spoken out against the "Controversial Issues" proposed policy, asking Springboro Community City Schools officials to abandon the policy which, it claims, seeks to "advance creationism in the classroom."

The policy, which was discussed at the Springboro school board meeting last Thursday, seeks to allow the discussion of controversial subjects in the classroom so that students may learn to think critically.

"Properly introduced and conducted, the consideration of such issues can help students think critically, learn to identify important issues, explore fully and fairly all sides of an issue, weigh carefully the values and factors involved, and develop techniques for formulating and evaluating positions," the policy reads.

The policy goes on to identify what may be considered a controversial topic worthy of classroom discussion, which includes "evolution/creation, pro-life/abortion, contraception/abstinence … gun rights, global warming and climate change," among other things.

"The role of the teacher in the presentation of assigned issues is vitally important," the policy states. "All sides of the issue should be given to the students in a dispassionate manner. The goal is for the students to be taught to think clearly on all matters of importance, and to make decisions in the light of all the material that has been presented or can be researched on the issues."

The ACLU has issued a letter to the school district, asking them to drop the proposed policy.

"It's the job of families, not public schools to educate children on spiritual values," ACLU of Ohio Staff Attorney Drew Dennis stated in the letter. "It is irresponsible for schools to repeatedly waste resources designing these types of unconstitutional policies."

The letter also references a similar incident in 2011, when the ACLU threatened to sue the Springboro School District if it approved a similar policy to teach creationism in its public schools.